Enterovirus (EV)

Enteroviruses are a genus of small, non-enveloped, positive-sense single-stranded RNA viruses within the Picornaviridae family (StatPearls, 2023). This genus encompasses a diverse group of human pathogens, including polioviruses, coxsackieviruses, echoviruses, and rhinoviruses, which are responsible for a broad spectrum of diseases ranging from mild respiratory infections to severe conditions like aseptic meningitis, myocarditis, and paralytic poliomyelitis (NCBI, 2022). From a therapeutic perspective, Enterovirus is not a single molecular target but a pathogen genus containing several key proteins essential for viral survival and replication (Nature Reviews Microbiology, 2018). Primary molecular targets within the virus include the viral capsid (VP1-VP4), which mediates attachment and uncoating; the 3C protease (3Cpro), required for polyprotein processing; and the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (3Dpol), which replicates the viral genome (PubMed, 2019). Antiviral agents such as pleconaril and rupintrivir have been designed to inhibit these specific viral functions, although the high genetic variability and rapid mutation rates of enteroviruses present significant hurdles for the development of broad-spectrum and durable therapies (Antiviral Research, 2013).

Other names

PicornaviridaeHuman enterovirusPoliovirusRhinovirusCoxsackievirusEchovirus

Capsid binding to prevent viral uncoating; Inhibition of viral 3C protease; Inhibition of RNA-dependent RNA polymerase.